A BUS driver was attacked by two passengers who refused to get off at Accrington Bus Station.

Police and paramedics were called to the Infant Street rank to reports of the driver being assaulted.

He was taken to hospital with a suspected cracked rib after complaining of chest pains.

A spokesman for bus company Transdev said the 9.23pm number 23 service from Burnley to Accrington arrived at the bus station at 10.25pm on Tuesday and all but two passengers left.

He said: “The bus driver went to ask them to leave. They were intoxicated. When they didn’t leave the situation got heated and he was the victim of a quite severe assault.

“He was taken to hospital and later released, but will be off work for two to three weeks.”

The 43-year-old driver wants to remain anonymous, the spokesman said, but confirmed he had suffered a broken rib during the attack.

A passer-by spotted the incident and called the police.

A 38-year-old man and 47-year-old woman, both from Haslingden, have been charged with assault and bailed to appear before Blackburn Magistrates Court on February 24.